The Glasshouse: Nurturing Growth in Women

Cranbrook-based social enterprise The Glasshouse won a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show this summer with an inspiring and beautiful garden designed by Jo Thompson and built by Ryan Alexander Associates. It embodies the sense of purpose, self-belief and hope The Glasshouse offers to women as they approach the end of their prison sentences, through horticultural training, employment and resettlement support.

Sara Tidy meets Kali Hamilton Stove, co-founder of The Glasshouse, to uncover the roots of the programme.

The Seed of an Idea

HMP East Sutton Park is a Category D open prison and Young Offender Institution for women, near Maidstone. It allows women who have long periods of good behaviour and proven themselves to be trustworthy some opportunities for day release to work outside the prison. The main building dates back to 1570, there are lovely views over the Weald of Kent, and they have a working farm with pigs, cows, horses and a farm shop.

Kali explains; ‘Arriving at East Sutton Park can be very emotional – there’s so much humanity to the place. When Melissa first visited the prison, she spotted four large disused greenhouses - probably built around 1900 - for growing vegetables and plants for the estate.’

Melissa Murdoch, co-founder of The Glasshouse, is a social impact investor, who identifies opportunities to support commercially driven projects with outcomes that benefit society.

Germination

‘I’d never worked in a prison system and I’m not a trained horticulturalist. At the time Melissa approached me I was running a café and shop in Goudhurst after twenty years in PR and communications. Melissa came to me because, in addition to my business experience and belief in the power of nature to heal, I created and planted unique arrangements of plants and arranged them in my shop. Originally from Tennessee I grew up on a farm where most of the year you can be outside. I love working with plants and people - it gives me joy. Melissa asked if I’d look at those greenhouses and think what we could do with them. After saying no several times, I decided yes - it was time for a change. I wanted to do something more socially driven. So, we sat down to write a plan.’

In their research on the prison system and women in custody, Kali and Melissa learned there are almost no rehabilitation programmes addressing women’s specific needs and ways of working - they are usually adaptations of male-oriented schemes.

Kali reflects; ‘Surprisingly, women’s reoffending rates were almost 10% higher than men. That didn’t make sense to me – why on earth would you want to go back? But many women, for the first time in their lives, often from abusive or chaotic pasts, feel safer in prison than they do outside. That’s horrible. So, our aim is to build their skills and confidence so they can truly live their own life, free from fear or dependence on others.’

Next, they turned to the agriculture industry to decide how best to use the greenhouses. Research into horticulture and biophilic principles - integrating natural elements into the built environment to boost wellbeing and productivity - led them to the interior plant-installation and maintenance sector. This industry, supplying and caring for greenery in large offices, hotels and other public spaces, is flexible, well paid, offers good benefits and is especially welcoming to women. In that setting, plant ‘technicians’ must be able to multitask, work quickly and often be “invisible” while delivering a first-class service. ‘It really felt like the women we were hoping to train would be appropriate for that industry. So, we decided that we would use those greenhouses to start working with indoor plants; train women how to pot and prepare them for that environment. The women working in the greenhouses would then subsequently be trained to work in London, in offices, installing and caring for the plants.’

Shoots of Growth

In January 2020, Kali and Melissa presented their business plan to the Ministry of Justice’s New Futures Network. Their plan was enthusiastically received, and within six weeks the first cohort of four women began work in the greenhouses at East Sutton Park. Even though COVID struck a month later, the project was classified as “outdoors” and allowed to continue.

‘COVID ironically became a blessing,’ says Kali. ‘Our trainers still attended weekly, and the women maintained the plants, kept learning and worked on their qualifications. I also had a steep learning curve – navigating prison logistics working within strict guidelines and building essential relationships with officers and administrators.’

Since that pilot, between 30 and 40 women have completed the programme. The Glasshouse ensures rigorous vetting and onboarding, pays every woman the living wage – including those in custody - and has a 0 % reoffending rate. Corporate clients praise the professionalism of their technicians, who rapidly become familiar faces in office corridors and are often asked for houseplant advice - boosting their self-esteem, confidence and sense of expertise. Perhaps for the first time in their lives they feel valued and respected. Kali beams with pride when she tells me that, on release from prison, one ‘graduate’ joined Tesco’s florist department. In just four years she has risen to regional manager, is getting married and is reunited with her family.

Full Bloom at Chelsea

Supported by Project Giving Back - a foundation funding charitable gardens at Chelsea - The Glasshouse entered and won a Gold medal at the 2025 Show with a garden designed by Jo Thompson and built by Ryan Alexander Associates. Designers, volunteers and women still in custody all worked side by side on creating the show garden up in London. ‘For our women to be part of the team, to create something of real value and to receive such praise and positivity from members of the public and celebrities was a fantastic boost to their self-esteem and confidence.’

Spreading Roots

After the show, The Glasshouse lifted and reinstalled the garden at Downview Women’s Prison in Surrey. With ready access to all women in custody there, the garden provides space for caseworker meetings, planning for their future after release or just somewhere to breathe in peace. ‘Emily, our Head of Horticulture has now started workshops to train the women there. We’re already spreading our roots further.’

From Seed to Celebration

it’s very moving to listen to Kali, so passionate about The Glasshouse project, which is such a remarkable and inspiring one. I’m wondering what, from that first seed of an idea all the way through to shaking hands with Sir David Beckham at Chelsea, Kali is most proud of?

With a sparkle in her eyes, she replies; ‘I’ve always loved the Chelsea Flower Show so being there was a dream (more an impossibility) come true. Chelsea was the cherry on top, but it stands on years of hard work from all of our incredible team, staff, volunteers and the women themselves.

‘I feel very fortunate for the opportunities I’ve had, but many women are not so blessed. Every preconception about women in custody should be questioned – because anyone’s life can lead them there. I’ve learned that together, we can nurture hope, purpose and real opportunity for women rebuilding their lives. Seeing these women transform through skill, confidence and paid work, has been our greatest achievement.’

Benenden Magazine, August 2025